Chronicles | November 2020
A R T
Existing Utopias by Cauleen Smith
Multimedia artist and filmmaker Cauleen Smith has been awarded the Studio Museum in Harlem’s annual Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize. Studio Museum in Harlem represents artists of African descent whose work is informed by Black culture. In the video below, Smith explains her process and intent of her 2018 film Sojourner. She emphasizes that successful utopian societies or spaces can and do exists.
D E S I G N
Isamu Noguchi knew that Good design never jeopardizes functionality
One of the most thoughtful designers of the twentieth century was Isamu Noguchi born November 17th, 1904. He was an experimental artist whose mediums had little bounds ranging from sculpture, landscaping, furniture, architecture, and set design. Noguchi’s work is known for balancing subtle alongside bold, traditional, and modern. Informed by the mulberry bark and bamboo lanterns of Gifu, Japan, Noguchi created the Akari series. Noguchi was often open to making his design work accessible by agreeing to production. The Akari series has continued to be produced by traditional Japanese methods since 1951 that are easily transported and ethically built to last.
F I L M
Punk Rock Florist
Flower Punk is a short documentary by Alison Klayman following Azuma Makoto‘s art practice of floral arranging. Makoto had a dream of becoming a rockstar that transcended into a love for flowers. In the film, you’ll see that somehow it's all connected.
L I T E R A T U R E
A Celebration of Light
Before I came across Somini Sengupta’s New York Times article To Celebrate Diwali Is to Celebrate the Light I was unaware of the holiday. This year Diwali begins on November 14th, the darkest night of the lunar cycle which is counteracted by illuminating festivities. The holiday motivates us to overcome the darkness of 2020, it’s a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
P E O P L E
Mountain Climbing History
Emily Harrington made history by being the first woman to complete a free climb of the Golden Gate route of El Capitan in less than 24 hours. A couple of years ago, I watched the film, Free Solo which documented Alex Honnold’s free climb of El Capitan, my palms were sweating the entire time. Honnold climbed with Harrington to start the task. Hear her speak about the achievement here on NPR.
An Italian painter, a contemporary NYC photographer, Dallas's City Hall survey, and Valentine's Day playlist for January's 2022 chronicles.
From The High Line to Fair Park, Laura Owen's mosaic at Laguardia Airport, details of artwork at the MoMA, The Noguchi Museum, The Whitney, Ciara Elle Bryant at The MAC, and Virgil Abloh.
Keeping the theme of resetting in mind, a breakdown of my influences from July - September 2021 is listed on this chronicle.
Some questions I had this June; Artwork often has a unique power to exist wherever it wants but, what’s that mean for rural Texas residents? What’s the moral thing to do with an unwanted painting? This month also covers local artwork commemorating Juneteenth, an underreported Dallas newspaper’s history, celebrating Gay Pride by featuring artwork post Stonewall and a playlist for making art.
May presented me a theme of involving; cloud iridescence, lessons from flowers, how a smell makes you feel, and spatial learning from nature's patterns.
Remoteness leads to freedom and vastness lends introspection, placemaking in South Dallas, earth every day, Joan Miro, and Joan Mitchell.
Highlighting BIPOC female architects, a guide on how to not fast fashion, a snail goes on a stroll at a zoo, and how to be an ally to AAPI.
2020 Nasher Prize winner Michael Rakowitz’s work uses Iraq monuments as a way to reclaim art spaces, the optical illusion inspired wallpapers by Bradley L Bowers, how to responsibly collect Black artists work by Destinee Ross-Sutton, and who showed up and who is responsible for power outages during storm Uri’s in Texas.
Starting off the new year with a look back into history. From the longest running photography atelier, the way fashion reflect social movements, and the Wilmington insurrection.
A 2020 sign off that includes the power of creating change, painting’s relationship with photography, Ed Rucha’s iconography, an art chapel, and otherwordly fashion.
In October 2020, I reflect on three nationally recognized days that are often overlooked. In observation I celebrate Dolores Huerta, Monica Roberts, and Indegenous-owned businesses. + more.
In this post, you’ll see a building that offers heat to entire neighborhoods, a hotel and library that sits within the forest, and an event center built of fungus. Other topics include a prolific botanist in celebration of Mexican Heritage Month, art world news, and a free guide to making pottery. I also created a Spotify playlist inspired by the transition of summer to fall.
Finding inspiration through artists and history. Including Ruth Asawa, a Japanese American artists whose work was featured on USPS stamps. + more.
Barbara Earl Thomas will create a commissioned installation for Yale’s Grace Hopper College that addresses the school’s current namesake and the previous, John C. Calhoun. Dallas’s art industry is reemerging through historical hardships and current ones.
June 2020 was spent reflecting, learning, and listening. Through the art of Jacob Lawrence and Gordon Parks, a dismantling of the exclusive and racist portrayal of history is shown. To share productive ways to fight racism, local organizations are listed. + more.
Is there validation for ‘copycat’ architecture? Is physical museum closure the only way to ensure inclusivity? Listen to what Native American designers and business owners have to say about sustainability and fashion. Use literature as a tool to subvert systemic racism against Black Americans.
Access the documentary Beyond the Visible Hima af Klint, learn about the unveiling of a 15-year-old Dallas Mural, and more.
Here I explain the functionality behind common skincare ingredients while exploring options you can find at local Dallas boutiques.
While we’re at home, we can look towards design, literature, podcasts, and art to elevate our homes into meaningful sanctuaries.
Browse through the films on my ‘to watch’ list from the 2020 Berlin Film Festivale. I’ve also featured Mondo Mondo’s fragrance selections and images from Louis Armstrong’s preserved 1970’s flat.
Here we have my first published Chronicle. I began by researching some influential people who were born during this month and have also left us this month as a reminder for the remain constant in your efforts and personal history.
Alexandra Hulsey
DFW based freelance art director, photographer and multi-media artist.